I make one-off pieces of wool felt using the wet felt method. For each piece I blend different colours of Merino wool tops together with other natural fibres, such as silk and bamboo. The sheets are cut into smaller panels that I hand-embroider with my own artwork designs. These felt panels become the focus of textile wallets and cases. For example - storing sewing or lacemaking accessories and carrying them to group meet-ups; storing knitting needles of various types - and crochet hooks; notebooks; spectacles; pencils; etc.
My aspiration, in the William Morris ethos, is to make both beautiful and useful articles – items of portable art, if you like.
Right: Sewing accessories cases
Because the items are hand-made there is always the possibility of creating bespoke items specifically to a customer's requirements - I enjoy the challenge of making their idea a reality.
Left: A detail from a bespoke Tablet case made in March 2022
As well as all that - I blend and hand-spin my own one-off, colourful, natural fibre yarns using wool, mohair, alpaca, bamboo and silk, and other natural materials. When I'm feeling like doing my own processing (and that's a big job!) I like to source British-produced Rare Breed sheep fleece direct from small producers; some of whom are local to me in Cheshire. And I'm always keen to spin colourful ready-dyed or hand-painted fleece, tops or rovings made by other artisan wool spinning and dyeing suppliers - as any keen "fluff-hoarder" knows, there's always more "preciouses"! When I've done all that spinning, I hand-knit the yarn into accessories such as shawls, mittens, hats and fingerless mitts.
Right: "Pumpkin" woolly hats in several sizes
You can usually find me at Craft or Artisan Fairs on the Wirral and in the Chester area - I will be posting updates about where I will be during 2024 on the Events page.
I also give group talks on Feltmaking.